Norlain Dindang Mababaya
Allâh I the Almighty is the Source of Truth. The rational way to know the Truth is to follow Allâh’s first Revelation to Prophet Muhammad that is to read in the name of our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer, Allâh I)… (Qur’ân 96:1-5). Reading the Holy Qur’ân , being the Divine Word of God guides man to the Truth. Man learns that the religion before Allâh is Islâm (3: 19) and that Prophet Muhammad is Allâh’s universal Messenger to all mankind whom He sent with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to proclaim it over all religions (48:28).
To guide mankind to the Truth, Allâh I enjoins every one to obey His Messenger r (4: 80 and 59: 7). He I makes it clear that Prophet Muhammad , blessed with the exalted standard of character (68:4 ) was His Mercy for all creatures (21:107). To the non-Muslims, Allâh enlightens them to believe in His Messenger with the verse in the Holy Qur’ân that His Messenger was being mentioned in their own Scriptures (7:157). The prophecies in the Hindu Scripture, Parsi Scripture, the Old and the New Testaments in the Bible, and the Gospel of St. Barnabas on the advent of Prophet Muhammad all prove Allâh’s Words in the Holy Qur’ân . The narrations in said Scriptures clearly describe the Allâh’s Messenger as the Mercy to all mankind. They all express praises to him. Such praises conform with Jesus Christ’s prophecy in the Holy Qur’ân , mentioning the name “Ahmad” which means “the Praised One” or “the Most Praiseworthy”. This name concurs with the name “Admirable” referred to Prophet Muhammad by Jesus Christ as reported in the Gospel of St. Barnabas. The concurrence logically shows another proof of Allâh’s True Word, the Holy Qur’ân .
Aside from the narrated prophecies in the different Scriptures which express praises to Prophet Muhammad numerous scholars, both Muslims and non-Muslims, show positive impressions of the Prophet r. In general, they depict in their published works the true image and personality of Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger of Allâh I who deserves praises having completed his universal mission to all mankind. On the whole, the scholars’ perceptions of Allâh’s Messenger r also affirm Allâh’s Word in the Holy Qur’ân . Prophet Muhammad was indeed, the Mercy to all mankind, the best example to all and hence the most praiseworthy of all Allâh’s creatures. Some of the scholars’ impressive perceptions of the Great Prophet could be summarized as follows:
A. Prophet Muhammad was an inspired man with an extraordinary personality. He was gifted with mighty powers of imagination, elevation of mind, delicacy and refinement of feeling. His intellectual qualities were extra ordinary. He had a quick apprehension, a retentive memory, a vivid imagination and an inventive genius. Pure-hearted and beloved in his circle, he was of sweet and gentle disposition. He set a shining example to his people. His character was pure and stainless. The real cause of his many marriages at an old age was charity, and in order to protect the widows of his persecuted followers. He was the most handsome man who could not be compared with anyone, before or after him. The quality of the Prophet’s personality is intensely human. He possessed the best and the noblest qualities of a perfect man. He was the only messenger and man in history whose entire life record is fully preserved for mankind to learn from his examples. Muhammad’s tremendous personality inspired all. With his perfect emotional balance, he did not shun the legitimate pleasures of this life. He was the most cultured and concerned individual within his commonwealth; yet he had never been to school. In his good manners, gentleness, cordiality, sympathy and forbearance he has left a perpetual and living example of a noble behavior for the entire humanity. He was a wonderful person, his is the only example in which all aspects of excellence have been blended into one personality. The noble life of the Great Prophet presented the true picture of the Qur’ânic teachings. He is an embodiment of all the virtues which have been enunciated by the Holy Qur’ân .
B. The essential sincerity of the Prophet Muhammad’s nature cannot be questioned. His sincerity was never questioned by the earliest converts of Islâm, his friends, and the people of his household. He was not an “impostor” as misperceived by many of the non-Muslims. He was known for his absolute sincerity and absolute trustworthiness in all walks of life and in every sphere of human activity. He worked all his life with utmost sincerity for the well-being of his fellow men. Known as “the Truthful” (Al-Sadiq) and “the Faithful” (Al-Amin), people were convinced of the sincere and truthfulness of his Message.
C. The Prophet was born to establish peace and unity in the world. He was successful in uniting so many races of mankind. He was the greatest Messenger of peace who laid down the laws of securing peace with Allâh I our God, peace with man, peace with other peoples and other religions. He declared the oneness of God and the oneness of mankind, which create a bond of universal brotherhood. He taught the belief in One God that is to transform all mankind into one brotherhood.
D. The Prophet was endowed with great words of wisdom and teachings. The words that he uttered are not the words of an ordinary man. The Hâdîth , the body of transmitted actions and sayings of the Prophet r conveys precious information. The practical character of his teachings gave birth to the scientific spirit. His teachings are simple, comprehensive and original. They remained in their original purity. Everything in the teachings and postulates of Islâm is in its proper place. All its parts are harmoniously conceived to complement and support each other; nothing is superfluous and nothing is lacking with the result of an absolute balance and solid composure. The dicta of the Prophet in all matters of law and religion were inspired and suggested by Allâh I , though expressed in his own words. Every word the Prophet r uttered was inspired by Providence divulging some hidden truths of human life and laying down some rules for its guidance on earth. The Prophet’s teaching of the oneness of God, His innumerable attributes, of His love and mercy to His creatures are unequaled by others. Character training is achieved through the well-established teachings of Islâm, the model behavior of the Prophet. All the teachings of the Prophet are simple and intelligible. The Prophet’s wisdom, being divinely inspired, is so important that the Muslims have been ordained not only to recite the Qur’ân but to recite the wisdom also. The Sunnah of the Prophet r became a standard of living which every Muslim should aspire to reach.
E. Prophet Muhammad is the greatest educator of mankind. He was a more thorough educator than the modern reformers. He was the prince among educators who elevated human behavior towards greater freedom and happiness. He was the molder of human history. He provided stimulated efforts towards the acquisition of knowledge in various fields of study. He taught mankind the fundamental principles of morality, ethics and religion and gave them the wealth of eternal values and standards which formed the basis of their culture in all dimensions, covering every branch of human activity. The divine teaching and encyclopedic knowledge (embracing all fields of studies) he taught the people, still continue to enlighten the world. In the light of the teachings of the Qur’ân , the Prophet r urged Muslims to seek knowledge and declared that its quest was incumbent upon his followers.
F. Prophet Muhammad was “the Spirit of Truth”. He was a man of truth and fidelity, true in what he did, in what he spoke and thought. He declared the true concept of God as revealed in the Holy Qur’ân ¾ the true pathway to everlasting happiness. He was the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth who propagated the true religion. As recipient of the Divine Word, the Prophetr expressed the truth of the reality and intensity of the individual human relationship with God. It was he who evolved true religiosity on the basis of scientific spirit. He never turned away from Truth for he was extremely honest and truthful in all his ways. He was known for his pure and spotless character and love for Truth. He was most honest and truthful. He proved by his living example that he was the most truthful and honest person of his age. Everyone was impressed by his honesty and truthfulness. Through him, Truth has come and Error has vanished.
G. He r was the Prophet endowed with the ever-living miracle. His immortal miracle is the Holy Qur’ân , the Divine Word of Allâh I. The Holy Qur’ân is the authentic proof of the Prophet’s divine mission. It is an ever-present miracle, perfect in every letter. Arabic when expertly used is a remarkably terse, rich and forceful language, and the Arabic of the Qur’ân is by turns striking, soaring, vivid, terrible, tender and breathtaking. The Holy Qur’ân has been very carefully preserved. It is the greatest of miracles, which deserves distinction, on account of its authenticity and the presence in it of scientific statements. It does not present us with mysteries. The Qur’ânic statements about human development are based on current scientific knowledge. Far from being a book of mysteries, the Holy Qur’ân is a guide. The Holy Qur’ân teaches among others the absolute unity and power of God, ethics and morals, virtue and justice, life and death. We can verify its Truthfulness. The Qur’ân was the main miracle, which was given to Prophet Muhammad to prove that he was a true prophet of God and not an impostor. Anyone who reads it with an open mind will become a Muslim. The quality of the language used in the Holy Qur’ân was so exquisite that it posed a challenge to men of letters and the poets of the day to produce a verse like that either singly or jointly, either then or at any period of time. The challenge was, and to this day remains, unanswered. The Holy Qur’ân is an immortal miracle. Allâh I undertook to guard it against all sorts of change or perversion. It is the last of the long line of Divine Messages. The Holy Qur’ân being the Word of God is absolutely free of any impurities and doubts. The Qur’ân is unique. It embodies the Word of Allâh unchanged unabridged, and unchallenged. The Holy Qur’ân as a miracle has a tremendous effect on the life of Muslims. It urges man to think of the universe and often appeals to man’s reasoning and mind.
H. Muhammad was a prophet, not a theologian. He was Allâh’s universal Messenger to all mankind. He was Allâh’s Prophet who never claimed powers at any period of his mission but had such a remarkable personal influence over all with whom he was brought into contact. He was the Mighty Prophet, one of the Great Messengers of the Supreme. He was more than honest, Allâh’s Servant and Messenger. He was the last messenger from Allâh I to mankind, who brought the final revelation from God to man. He was the last prophet whom Allâh I has sent to all mankind until the end of the world. He was the only Prophet who completed his mission in his lifetime. He was the Seal of all the Prophets. He was the world Prophet sent to guide all peoples of the world and move them from darkness into light. Allâh I sent the Prophet r to perfect morality for the whole of mankind. He is, indeed, the greatest Prophet of God for the guidance of the whole human race.
I. Through Prophet Muhammad, Islâm achieved perfection. To believe that he propagated Islâm by sword is a palpable mistake. Islâm won a place in the scheme of life through the Prophet. Islâm is the most rational and precise religion. Compared with other religions, Islâm is pure, liberal and rational. Its permanency deserves man’s wonder. It is the best religion for the whole world. It is the religion for all mankind. It appeals to every age: a wonderful vitality. Islâm: the system preached by Muhammad was inspired. As a perfect world religion, Islâm is glorious heritage for mankind. It is the simplest and most elevating form of religion known to man. It is in conformity with modern science. As it is unbiased and tolerant, it always appreciates the good. Indeed, Islâm is a beautiful religion. It satisfies the quest for absolute values. Of all religious systems, Islâm alone declares that individual perfection is possible in our earthly existence. The Prophet r clarified the meaning of Islâm. Islâm, not “Mohammedanism” is the last religion and all-inclusive religion. It is the perfect expression of the Divine Will. Islâm gave to the world the institutions of equality, freedom and the indivisibility of the human race. These institutions are now recognized as fundamental human rights. As a comprehensive religion, Islâm fully covers the issue of universal peace treating it as an attainable ideal which should be an integral part of life and which ought to dominate all fields of human activity. Islâm is less a way of thinking, more a way of living. Its is the only religion which can fulfill all human aspirations and offers a practical solution of the problems which humanity is facing today. It was during the Prophet’s mission that Islâm was perfected. He was, therefore, the advocate of the perfect religion, Islâm.
J. The Prophet was a great head of state and great spiritual leader. He was a divinely guided leader. He enjoyed the greatest power and aimed at the universal dominion of Islâm. He sanctified life in all its aspects. Muhammad advocated fundamental social change in the interest of man as well as equal emphasis in prayer to God as a service to humanity. He also laid down practical schemes for giving effect to the change. He established a harmonious equilibrium between the spiritual and temporal.
K. Prophet Muhammad was the man, who, of all men, exercised the greatest influence upon the human race. He influenced more than one half of all human beings in less than forty years. Regarded as the perfect man by the human race, his behavior has been minutely imitated. Muhammad’s idea has become the means of converting to a high form of culture and civilization millions of the human race. He leads the list of the world’s most influential persons. Almost immediately following his death, Islâm burst upon the Near Eastern and the World Scene to guide us to renewed social responsibility. The evolution of his personality, religion, and nation assumed the force of a human drama of the greatest magnitude, witnessed not only by his contemporaries but also by the rest of the world in subsequent times. The unique features of Islâm have appealed to hundreds of thousands of people in the past and the present and have made them affirm that Islâm is the religion of Truth and the right path for mankind; and this will continue to appeal them in the future.
L. The Prophet is the perfect model for all mankind. He is the model in every phase of life. His achievements are not limited to one aspect of life, but cover the whole field of human conditions. Every part of his life is well-balanced and on the whole is the model of perfection. The World Prophet is a model for every virtue, a model for every attribute, a model for every businessman. Not only that, he combined in himself all the best virtues of every man, and his teachings of all the prophets and religious personalities that appeared in every part of the globe and of the books revealed and unrevealed. His life is a perfect model and a beacon light for others to follow in obtaining happiness and peace. Prophet Muhammad has merited the unattainable status of being the splendid example to humanity at large. Every individual who wishes success should study the life and follow the example of the Holy Prophet, the greatest man.
M. Prophet Muhammad is the greatest man. In many ways, Muhammad is the greatest. He is the greatest man based on all known standards of human genius. He is the greatest advocate of Truth. He is the greatest God-relying and resolute man. He is the greatest benefactor of humanity that ever lived. He deserves special prominence. The Holy Qur’ân calls him the most perfect creation and his life the best specimen to follow. He is the greatest of mankind who guides humanity to Islâm the path of peace and prosperity.
An in-depth analysis of the perceptions of the non-Muslim scholars would show that, there are among the said scholars who still have wrong perceptions of the Prophet r. They need a thorough knowledge of the Truth. They ought to read and understand the Holy Qur’ân - if not in its original Arabic, then its translation to other languages. In this way, they would have the true knowledge of the Prophet r, hence they will be able to fully appreciate and accept him as Allâh’s universal Messenger to all mankind. If they are sincere in their search for Truth, Allâh, by His Divine Will, shall enlighten them just as He guided the Muslim Reverts to Islâm or those who embraced Islâm, being the original religion of all mankind.
Non-Muslims could correct the misconceptions they have had on the Prophet r by objectively reading the Holy Qur’ân. Muhammad, the unlettered Prophet of Allâh I did not write the Holy Qur’ân . That being unlettered, it would be impossible for him to plagiarize any part of the Biblical writings. Besides, no one of the scholars (Muslims and Christians alike) who have written about him ever claimed that the Prophet r was a linguist to have understood the Bible in Hebrew nor in Greek. Likewise, no scholar nor any historian has ever told us that the Bible translated in Arabic had reached the hands of the Prophetr for obviously it was only after the Prophet’s death that the Bible was translated in Arabic. It should also be understood that he was not the founder of Islâm. The Religion before Allâh is Islâm (submission to His Will) (3:19). Nobody, not even Muhammad himself, can claim to be the founder of Islâm. Hence, there is no such term as “Muhammedan Religion”, instead the proper word is Islâm. Allâh I guided His Messengerr to proclaim Islâm: the Religion of Truth over all religions (48:28). Subsequently, the Prophetr confirmed (Islâm) the Message of the Messengers, namely: Abraham, Ismael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, Job, Jonah, Aaron, Solomon, David and Jesus, before him, who gave good news as well as warning (Qur’ân 4:163-165). Islâm - the complete submission to the Will of God - is the one and only faith revealed by God to mankind from the very beginning. Therefore, to say that Prophet Muhammad founded Islâm is a great fallacy, a distortion to the Truth. Likewise, to brand the religion of Muslims as “Mohammedanism” instead of Islâm indicates ignorance of the Truth. Most of all, to believe that the Prophet spread Islâm through the sword is indeed a “palpable mistake”. It was not through the sword that Islâm won a place in the hearts of million Muslims, it was instead, the exalted personality of the Prophet who lived in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Qur’ân , the Divine Word of God. Known as the greatest peacemaker and the greatest God-relying and resolute man, the Prophet undoubtedly followed Allâh’s Qur’ânic injunction that there should be no compulsion in religion (2:256).
Moreover, among the non-Muslim scholars there are those who describe the Prophet as an “orator” and a “poet”. Readers of the Holy Qur’ân should take note that Prophet Muhammad was divinely endowed with wisdom. He did not speak of his own desire. What he spoke was an Inspiration sent down to him from God. It was Allâh the Almighty Who taught him (53:3-5). The great Prophet r could never be compared to any orator nor poet, not even the greatest among them. What Prophet Muhammad conveyed to mankind were not mere beautiful words full of wisdom and guidance but great words so full of Truth. He has come with Truth from God (4:170). Verily, the Holy Qur’ân is not the word of the Prophet, nor a poet nor of a soothsayer. It is the Word of God, a Message sent down from the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Worlds (69:40-43).
Very far from being an “Antichrist”, the Messenger of Allâh I truly conveyed to mankind the truth about Jesus Christ. That Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, was a righteous Prophet of Allâh I (6: 85). He was one of the Messengers who enjoined people to believe in Allâh I (4:171, 5:75 and 43:63-64). Specifically, he was an Messenger Allâh I to the Children of Israel (3:49-51). Allâh I granted him a favor and made him an example to them (43: 59). Allâh sent him with Gospel (5:46) and miracles (5:113-115; 19:30-33). He was not son of Allâh (9: 30). And above all, he was not God (5: 17).
Non-Muslims should also bear in mind that the Prophet r was never “deceived by Satan”. There are verses in the Holy Qur’ân which guide man to admonish Satan and seek refuge with God. The verses not only refute the Non-Muslim’s misperception of the Holy Prophet as one “deceived by Satan” but bring concrete proofs that subsequently refute the glaring misconception of him as “devil” by Salman Rushdie. The said western writer for sure must be ignorant of the Truth for coming up with his very unscholarly and blasphemous novel, “The Satanic Verses”. Every seeker of Truth, Muslim or Non-Muslim, must not waste his time reading Rushdie’s fictitious and evil work for evidently the Holy Qur’ân bears witness to the fact that the Messenger of God had never been “devil” all throughout his life. Some of the Qur’ânic verses which should enlighten every rational man to believe that Satan has no place in the Holy Qur’ân and that the chosen Messenger of God to all mankind, was pure and not “devil” are the following:
“When you read the Qur’ân , seek Allâh’s protection from Satan the Rejected One.” (16:98)
“If a suggestion from Satan assail your (mind) seek refuge with Allâh; for He hears and knows (all things).” (7: 200)
“Those who fear Allâh; when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring Allâh to remembrance, When lo! They see (aright)!” (7: 201)
O you who believe! Follow not Satan’s footsteps: If any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) command what is shameful and wrong: and were it not for the grace and mercy of Allâh on you, not one of you would ever have been pure: but Allâh does purify whom He pleases. And Allâh is One WhoHears and knows (all things).” (24: 21)
“Verily Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherents, that they may become companions of the Blazing Fire.” (35:6)
For those who brand Prophet Muhammad as an “impostor”, then they should read the Holy Qur’ân and let the Truth speak for itself. Allâh I says: “The Truth is from thy Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer); so be not all in doubt” (2:147). If he was an “impostor”, he would have claimed the Holy Qur’ân to be his own work and subsequently spent his life enjoying worldly goods, power and fame. Known as “the True”, “the Faithful”, “the Upright”, “the Trustworthy One”, how could he be an “impostor” when he not only taught the Truth but lived a life in accordance with it? Verily, Prophet Muhammad was Allâh’s universal Messenger to all mankind, giving them glad tidings and warning them against sin (34: 28).
After knowing the truth about the Prophet r, it becomes imperative, therefore, to believe in Allâh, the Almighty and the Holy Qur’ân sent down to the Prophet r for Allâh I says in the said Divine Revelation:
“Those who reject Allâh and hinder (men) from the Path of Allâh, - their deeds will Allâh render astray (from their mark). But those who believe and work deeds of Righteousness, and believe in the (Revelation) sent down to Muhammad for it is the Truth from their Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), He will remove from them their ills and improve their condition. This is because those who reject Allâh follow vanities, while those who believe, follow the Truth from their Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer): Thus does God set forth for men their lessons by similitude.” (47:1-3)
Knowing that in Islâm there is no compulsion in religion for “Truth stands out clear from Error” (2: 256), the following is food for thought for those who truly seek Truth:
T Think thoroughly
R Read, research and be rational to
U Understand and unravel the
T True Teachings to be
H Happy Here and in the Hereafter.
For those who are fortunate to know the Truth, may they take active participation in propagating it. Allâh I says in the Holy Qur’ân:
“And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when you know (what it is).” (2:42)
“And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it ¾ such are the men who do right.” (39:33)
